厉兵秣马 Sharpen weapons and feed horses
Explanation
厉兵秣马，意思是磨好兵器，喂好马。形容准备战斗。
Lìbīng mòmǎ means to sharpen weapons and feed horses. It describes the preparation for battle.
Origin Story
春秋时期，晋国和秦国联军攻打郑国，郑国形势危急。郑穆公派人去观察秦军的动静，发现秦军已经厉兵秣马，准备进攻。郑穆公立即召集大臣商议对策，最终决定派烛之武前往秦营，凭借其卓越的口才，说服秦军退兵，避免了郑国的灭亡。这个故事告诉我们，在面临危机时，要做好充分的准备，同时也要运用智慧和策略来化解危机。 另一个故事是关于弦高的。春秋时，秦、晋联军攻打郑国，形势危急。郑国商人弦高，以其机智勇敢，巧妙地利用自己的聪明才智，化解了这场危机。他带着准备好的礼物，冒充郑国使臣前去秦营，谎称郑国已经与秦国订立了盟约，并向秦军表示，秦国已经答应援助郑国，阻止了秦军对郑国的进攻。 这两个故事都体现了“厉兵秣马”的精神，但又不仅仅是简单的军事准备，更重要的是要具备应对挑战的智慧和策略。
During the Spring and Autumn period, the Jin and Qin states jointly attacked the Zheng state, putting Zheng in a critical situation. Duke Mu of Zheng sent people to observe the movements of the Qin army and found that the Qin army had already sharpened its weapons and fed its horses, preparing for an attack. Duke Mu immediately summoned his ministers to discuss countermeasures, and finally decided to send Zhu Zhiwu to the Qin camp. With his excellent eloquence, he persuaded the Qin army to withdraw, avoiding the destruction of Zheng. This story tells us that when facing a crisis, we must be fully prepared and also use wisdom and strategy to resolve the crisis.
Usage
常用来形容军队或个人为战斗或竞争做好充分准备。
It is often used to describe how troops or individuals thoroughly prepare for battle or competition.
Examples
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军队厉兵秣马，准备迎战。
jūnduì lìbīng mòmǎ, zhǔnbèi yíngzhàn
The army is sharpening its weapons and preparing for battle.
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他厉兵秣马，准备迎接挑战。
tā lìbīng mòmǎ, zhǔnbèi yíngjiē tiǎozhàn
He is sharpening his weapons and preparing to meet the challenge.